February 6, 2022

We live in an age in which God’s Word is more readily available than ever before. The fact that you are reading this blog post is evidence of that. One of the tremendous blessings of that is the plethora of tools available to customize your devotional life. This week and in coming weeks, I hope to highlight a few of them.

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the confessional Lutheran church body of which our congregation is a member, publishes several series of online devotions on a regular basis. Here are two of them:

  • WELS Daily Devotions are published every single day. They are written with the curious unbeliever or unchurched individual in mind, but lifelong Christians will also be blessed by their simple, direct encouragement from the Scriptures based on the readings assigned for the previous Sunday. These are also available in audio podcast form in the WELS app.
  • Family Devotions are published three times each week, based on the three Scripture readings assigned for the previous Sunday. They include discussion questions geared toward three groups: younger children, elementary age children, and middle school children. While these devotions are written for families, they would certainly serve individuals or couples well also. The devotions (but not the questions) are available in audio podcast form in the WELS app.

I invite you to explore these devotions for your personal or family devotional life. I will highlight other resources in future weeks.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 13:

  • Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10; Luke 6:17-26
  • Hymns: Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (CW 867); Blest are They (CW 690); Jesus Comes Today with Healing (CW 668); Day by Day (CW 803); How Firm a Foundation (CW 800)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

January 30, 2022

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32, NIV)

A man named Simeon spoke those words in the temple in Jerusalem 40 days after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his earthly father, Joseph, took him up to Jerusalem “to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’).” (Luke 2:22-23, NIV).

Not insignificant about this day is the fact that this is the second day in Jesus’ young life (after his circumcision when he was eight days old) for which the Scriptures record an account showing Jesus keeping the ceremonial laws prescribed for the nation of Israel. Even from his youngest days, Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly as our perfect substitute.

But what often gets our attention on that 40th day after Jesus’ birth (which we observe on February 2, the 40th day after Christmas) is the reaction of two faithful believers in the temple, Simeon and Anna. With eyes of faith opened by the Holy Spirit, they saw God’s promises fulfilled, salvation accomplished, forgiveness and hope achieved in a baby in the arms of his mother. And they were filled with joy.

It was on that occasion that Simeon sang the words above that are familiar to many Christians. Having seen his salvation with his own eyes, Simeon was ready to be called home to eternal life.

We too have seen our salvation, not only in the precious words of the sacred Scriptures, but also visibly in the sacred Sacraments. In Holy Baptism, God’s forgiveness and mercy are applied personally, and his Holy Spirit is poured out abundantly with something we can see and hear and touch: water. In the Sacrament of the Altar, God’s forgiveness and grace are applied personally, as our Savior himself gives us the body and blood that he offered as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, with the bread and wine that we can see and touch and taste.

As we lay eyes on our salvation each day, we can greet the evening shadows with Simeon’s song on our lips, as it is in the order of Prayer at Close of Day (Compline) on page 225 in Christian Worship. Additional settings of Simeon’s song are hymns 949-951 in Christian Worship. A modern arrangement of the song can be found here.

Here is the Proper for the Festival of the Presentation of our Lord (February 2): Readings: 1 Samuel 1:21-28, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40; Psalm of the Day: Psalm 84; Hymn of the Day: O Light of Gentile Nations (CW 497)

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, February 6:

  • Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 10:12-17; Luke 5:1-11
  • Hymns: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (CW 483); How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord (CW 734); Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying (CW 745); Go Forth and Preach the Gospel (CW 908)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

January 23, 2022

The Christian Church has appointed certain dates on which to observe what are known as “minor festivals.” The major festivals focus primarily on the significant events in the history of God’s saving work (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost). The minor festivals focus on how God blessed his Church through individuals or lesser events.

Our Lutheran Confessions speak about such minor festivals and honoring of the saints who have gone before us:

Our Confession approves honors to the saints. For here a threefold honor is to be approved. The first is thanksgiving. For we ought to give thanks to God because He has shown examples of mercy; because He has shown that He wishes to save men; because He has given teachers or other gifts to the Church. And these gifts, as they are the greatest, should be amplified, and the saints themselves should be praised, who have faithfully used these gifts, just as Christ praises faithful business-men, Matt. 25:21, 23. The second service is the strengthening of our faith; when we see the denial forgiven Peter, we also are encouraged to believe the more that grace truly superabounds over sin, Rom. 5:20. The third honor is the imitation, first, of faith, then of the other virtues, which every one should imitate according to his calling.

Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article XXI

This week’s calendar has three such minor festivals, two of which focus on the blessings of the pastoral ministry, and one which celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit in bringing an unbeliever from stubborn unbelief to faith. Why not take time this week to reflect on the lessons assigned for these dates and to give thanks for the blessings of God highlighted in each.

A helpful devotional book that is based on the minor festivals of the church is “With Our Eyes on Jesus,” by Pastor Richard Lauersdorf.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, January 30:

  • Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10; 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5; Luke 4:38-44
  • Hymns: We Have a Gospel to Proclaim (CW 741); I Love to Tell the Story (CW 746); What Is This Bread (CW 665); O Christians, Haste (CW 901); God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage (CW 640)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

January 16, 2022

The devotional life of a Christian offers the opportunity to tailor the reading, study, and meditation on God’s Word to one’s own life, experience, knowledge, time, etc. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal use of God’s Word.

But I am convinced that there is blessing in seeking to tie your devotional life in some way to the public worship of God’s assembled people. This may be as simple as using the assigned Scriptures for a given Sunday as the focus of your personal study of God’s Word; using a resource like Meditations, which bases its daily devotions on that week’s readings; or using a book of Advent devotions during Advent and Lent devotions during Lent.

For a deeper devotional walk, it may be helpful to learn more about the history, purpose, structure, and content of public worship. I would like to point you to two excellent resources for this. One is a book called Christian Worship: God Gives His Gospel Gifts, by Pastor Johnold J. Strey. This book breaks down what confessional Lutheran liturgical worship looks like and why. It includes a helpful glossary of key terms and many references to Christian Worship: Hymnal (2021).

The other is a wonderful book of devotions written by Professor Mark Paustian, Our Worth to Him: Devotions for Christian Worship. Those familiar with Dr. Paustian’s writing will find its usual excellent, picturesque, poetic style and thought-provoking and faith-building content that will help you grow in appreciation for the blessing of public worship.

Both of the books above would be a blessing for the devotional and worship life of any Lutheran Christian. Members of Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, will find copies of both in our church library.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 23:

  • Readings: Isaiah 61:1-6; Acts 4:23-31; Luke 4:16-30
  • Hymns: The Only Son from Heaven (CW 383); Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (CW 384); Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face (CW 660); Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness (CW 573); Christ Be My Leader (CW 518)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

January 9, 2022

On the First Sunday after Epiphany, the Christian Church observes the Baptism of our Lord. It gives us a chance to reflect on the Baptism of Jesus, at which his public ministry was inaugurated. But it also gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the blessings that God pours out on us in our own baptisms.

The blessings include God’s promises to wash away our sins, adopt us into his eternal family, and be faithful to us, as he equips us by his Word to carry out the callings he has entrusted to us. Each day, we can remember and celebrate our baptism, knowing that our sins have been washed away, knowing that we have died and been raised with Christ in baptism to new and glorious life (cf. Romans 6:3-4)

In many ways the date of our baptism is much more meaningful and important than our physical birthday. Do we celebrate it as such? Many Christians don’t even know the date on which they were baptized. If that includes you, I encourage you to find it out. Look for your baptism certificate. Contact the church in which you were baptized. Then, when you find out the date, circle it on your calendar and celebrate it in some special way each year.

If you have children, do the same for them. Some congregations give children candles when they are baptized to be lit each year in remembrance and celebration of their being born again as children of God.

In our home, we have put our baptism certificates in shadow boxes for all of our family members, along with a few mementos (baptismal napkin, photo, etc.). Those shadow boxes hang on the walls of our bedrooms to remind us each day: “I am baptized into Christ!“

Baptism gives us many reasons to rejoice every day. Whatever way you find to remember your baptism, may you be blessed by its remembrance!

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 16:

  • Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 2:1-11
  • Hymns: Arise and Shine in Splendor (CW 375); Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery (CW 535); Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me (CW 714); Jesus Loves Me (CW 584)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

January 2, 2022

Happy New Year! Another year of God’s grace is upon us. Whether you officially made New Year’s Resolutions or not, I pray that God will bless you with the desire and ability to deepen your walk of faith this year, as you make time to hear, study, and meditate upon his Word.

Now is a great time to begin to establish (or re-establish) routines of daily study of God’s Word. There are countless books available with devotions for every day of the year.

You can find Bibles with suggested readings to read through the whole bible in one, two, or three years, including F. Lagard Smith’s Daily Bible, which synthesizes the biblical accounts into chronological order. (The reader may have to use some discretion regarding the devotional material included.)

Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions includes a similar reading plan that will take you through all of the Lutheran confessions in one year, reading only five days each week.

Finally, there are several Bible apps with customizable reading plans to suit your interests or desired pace. Among the best, in my opinion, is the YouVersion app and its companion website (bible.com).

Whatever you use, may your year in God’s Word be blessed!

This Thursday, January 6, is the Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord. While it is one of the major festivals of the Christian calendar, it is often overlooked by many congregations (likely because it often falls on day other than Sunday and it is so close to the Christmas celebrations just completed). On the day of Epiphany, the church recalls the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) from the East, who may have been the first Gentiles (non-Jews) to see and worship the Christ child.

When the twelve days of Christmas come to a close, the attention of the Church shifts from the birth and early life of our Savior to the accounts revealing his identity as the Savior of all people. Since many of my readers are, like me, not of Jewish descent, this season fills us with the joyful assurance that Jesus is our Savior, too, and the zeal to spread the news to others.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on the First Sunday after Epiphany, January 9 :

  • Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-17,21-23
  • Hymns: The Star Proclaims the King is Here (CW 374, st. 1,2,3,5); To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord (CW 377); God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It (CW 679); The Only Son from Heaven (CW 383); Go, My Children, With My Blessing (CW 930, st. 1)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

December 26, 2021

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,” the song begins. And it continues describing gifts given through twelve days of Christmas. While many people begin to put away the sights and sounds of Christmas today, for the Christian Church, the celebration is just beginning. The days before Christmas are part of Advent, not the Christmas season. They’ve built up our anticipation of the celebration of our Savior’s nativity, a celebration that lasts for twelve days–from December 25 – January 5, before the Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord on January 6 (or, in some traditions, December 26 – January 6).

During this “Christmastide,” the Christian Church has several appointed minor festivals. They are listed below with their appointed readings from the Christian Worship Hymnal lectionary:

  • December 26 – St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (Jeremiah 26:1-16; Acts 6:8-7:2a,51-60; Matthew 23:34-39)
  • December 27 – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (Revelation 1:9-19; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 21:20-25)
  • December 28 – Holy Innocents (Jeremiah 31:15-17; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matthew 2:13-18)
  • January 1 – Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:21)

I have found it edifying to meditate on these texts and consider the way in which these saints or events bring glory to our Savior, whose birth we celebrate this season. Perhaps you might find blessing in doing the same.

This week, our world also marks the ending of one year and the beginning of another. We are reminded that, as time passes and things change, our Lord remains the same and is ever faithful to his people and his promises. May you be blessed as you begin a new year in the Lord.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, on New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31:

  • Readings: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Luke 13:6-9
  • Hymns: Across the Sky the Shades of Night (CW 367); O God, Our Help in Ages Past (CW 820); As Angels Joyed with One Accord (CW 320); Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (CW 672); Let Us All with Gladsome Voice (CW 332)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

December 19, 2021

One of the things that makes Christmas so memorable is the hymns and carols. The most familiar Christmas carols become part of the tradition for Christians across denominations (and are sometimes even sung by non-Christians). While such hymns can be beneficial for Christians, they sometimes focus on things that are more imaginative than factual (Was it really a silent night? Were the cattle really lowing? Did snow really lay on the ground? Did a little drummer boy really show up?).

But there are some Christmas hymns that express the significance of the nativity of our Savior in profound and beautiful ways. I encourage you to take time in the next week to page through a hymnal and just read the hymns. Ponder the truths expressed in the poetry. Look up Bible references listed with they hymn, if your hymnal includes them, like Christian Worship Hymnal does.

Here is a hymn that is not new. It was written by one of the most prolific Lutheran hymnwriters ever, Pastor Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676). Note its stark but profound simplicity, as it focuses on the treasures we have in heaven through the Christ born at Bethlehem:

1. O Jesus Christ, your manger is

my paradise at which I am reclining.

For there, O Lord, we find the Word

made flesh for us — your grace is brightly shining.

 

2. He whom the sea and wind obey

comes down to serve the sinner in great meekness.

Now God’s own Son with us is one

and joins us and our children in our weakness.

 

3. Dear Christian friend, on him depend;

be of good cheer and let no sorrow move you.

For God’s own Child in mercy mild

joins you to him — how greatly God must love you!

 

4. Ponder again what glory then

the Lord will give you for your earthly sadness.

The angel host can never boast

of greater glory, greater bliss or gladness.

 

5. The world may hold her wealth and gold;

but you, my heart, keep Christ as your true treasure.

To him hold fast until at last

a crown is yours and honor in full measure.

Christian Worship Hymnal #342 (text copyright 1941 Concordia publishing house)

Here’s a blog by a fellow pastor with a few notes about this hymn. Here’s a recording of the hymn sung by the Martin Luther College choir.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, next Sunday, December 26:

  • Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; Luke 2:41-52
  • Hymns: to be determined

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word and celebrate your Savior’s birth this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

December 12, 2021

Many Christians are familiar with the ancient Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” But did you know that it is based on a series of seven prayers called the “O Antiphons.” These prayers have historically been sung at vespers (evening worship) during the final seven evenings of Advent (December 17-23). Each of these ancient prayers addresses Christ by a name drawn from the Scriptures and seeks his blessings based on that name. Each prayer concludes with a call for Christ to “come” as promised.

The seven names by which Christ is called are Wisdom (Latin Sapientia), Lord (Adonai), Root of Jesse (Radix), Key of David (Clavis), Dayspring (Oriens), King of the Nations (Rex Gentium), and Emmanuel. When the first letters of these names in Latin are arranged in reverse order, they spell “ERO CRAS,” which means, in Latin, “Tomorrow, I will come.”

Consider setting aside a few extra minutes to meditate on these names for Christ and the prayers and hymn verses connected to them, as you prepare your heart for Christmas. One set of suggested readings, with the Antiphons and hymn verses can be found here. Find a series of devotional articles on the Antiphons here.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, next Sunday, December 19:

  • Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55
  • Hymns: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (327); Holy is Your Name (956); Once in Royal David’s City (343); Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates (306)

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

December 4, 2021

Many people have happy memories of the season leading up to Christmas. Family traditions involved in decorating their house, watching certain movies, listening to music, enjoying special meals, rituals, and outings.

One tradition that was part of my childhood was family devotions during the Advent season. We lit a new candle on our Advent wreath each week, as my parents, my four siblings, and I sat around the table after dinner. My father read a short devotion from one of the books we had, reviewing Bible stories and prophecies leading up to and through the account of our Savior’s birth.

My wife and I have established this “tradition” with our children, not just during Advent but throughout the year. But there is still something special about this Advent season with the glow of the candles and the growing anticipation of Christmas. It can be difficult, as our children grow older and schedules get busier, but it something I never want to give up. I am so blessed to watch my children grow in faith and understanding. And I pray that this tradition begun in their youth will continue throughout their lives.

I pray that these words will encourage you to begin or continue such a tradition in your home, whether it is a tradition you enjoy alone or with a spouse or family (or all of the above). Through a few extra moments each day in God’s Word, your preparations for Christmas will be blessed.

This Advent, my family and I have incorporated the devotional orders on pages 244 or 246 in Christian Worship into our evening devotion time. Perhaps you might do the same.

Here are the readings and hymns planned for use at Riverview Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, next Sunday, December 12:

  • Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-17; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
  • Hymns: Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing (827); O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (324); Rejoice, the Lord is King (524); Comfort, Comfort All My People (312); May the Peace of God (929)

Finally, I’ll again point you to a posting of several devotional resources, some of which are assigned specifically for the Advent season of the year.

May God bless your growth in faith, as you meditate on his Word this week!

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Wagner

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